A framework of distributed quality control

Historically, members of the supply chain exchanged quality-related information in a static, cumbersome manner. With recent advances in internet technologies, we propose that a new distributed quality control framework is possible. The proposed framework will support an initiative that integrates state-of-the-art information technologies with quality control tools for swift product design, process design, and quality assurance. The biggest impact of the proposed approach is that customers can be involved in decision making about product quality while the manufacturing of ordered products is being planned and produced, and after production at a supplierʹs facility is complete, without physically being there.